If it’s true that everyone gets his or her 15 minutes of fame, I was recently ripped off. Someone out there still owes me about 14 minutes and 50 seconds.
Parish and I went to the Greek Food Fest last weekend, and while I was inhaling my gyro, a nice cameraman from Fox 16 asked if he could interview me. I was ecstatic! My husband, who understands that I live for attention, scooted to the side and said, “She will do it; ask her the questions.”
A microphone was placed beside me and a smaller one was clipped to the inside of my shirt. The cameraman then told me to look at him and not at the camera when I answered his questions.
For the next three to four minutes, we talked about the food at the Greek fest, why it’s important for the community to be involved in events like this and how the weather affected the three-day fest. At the end of the interview, Mr. Cameraman told me the segment would air during the 9 p.m. news cast, and it would also be available online.
That evening, I set the DVR to capture my big debut. At 8:50 p.m., I was so excited – I couldn’t even sit down or finish my dinner.
I knew this news-breaking interview was going to be the start of something big. Someone at the news station would see me and think, “She needs to be our international spokesperson for community-wide events.” Then I would be whisked around the world talking to government officials and Prince William about the importance of food festivals and what they mean to people who attend them. I started dusting off my suitcase and practicing my handshake.
The news started and after a commercial break, the newscaster said, “And now let’s go to west Little Rock for day two of the Greek Food Fest.” I jumped off the couch and put my face as close to the screen as humanly possible.
First they showed the volunteers slicing lamb and preparing gyros. This is it! Then my face flashes on the screen and says to the world, “I come for the gyros every year.” In less than three seconds, they are interviewing someone else who calls the Greek dish a “lamb sandwich.” I was so crushed. I put my suitcase away and grabbed a pint of ice cream from the freezer. How could they only use one sentence? I said a lot of good things that day, things that the world will never get to hear.
Thankfully I recorded my two seconds and replayed it about 15 times. Then I paused it on my face and laughed so hard I almost cried. That’s life, though, isn’t it? It’s completely different from what you expect, and even when you try your hardest to sound clever and look good for the camera – you only get a few moments to shine.
Now when I tell the story, I laugh the whole time and consider it a fun memory. We actually had a great time at the Greek Food Fest, which is in walking distance of our apartment. While there, we were able to enjoy some Irish dancing, a man in a Greek warrior costume and the best baklava (besides my momma’s) that I’ve ever put in my mouth.
I’ll let you know when I get reimbursed for my 15 minutes, but in the meantime, I have the precious ones scattered on the cutting room floor.